Chicago, Ill.—Representatives from the United Master Executive Council of the
Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and the Irish Air Line Pilots
Association (IALPA), which represents the pilots of Aer Lingus Airlines, today
signed a protocol agreement that will bring the two groups together to protect
the interests of pilots from both airlines in light of the recently announced
partnership between United and Aer Lingus.

Last month, the two airlines announced a partnership
that will allow both airlines to sell seats on a Washington, D.C.-to-Madrid
route, using Aer Lingus aircraft not flown by United or Aer Lingus pilots. The
flights, operating under the current Aer Lingus certificate, are scheduled to
begin in March 2010.

“It is imperative that we work together on both
sides of the Atlantic to prevent the anti-labor aspects of this agreement from
impacting pilots from our two airlines,” said Captain Steve Wallach, chairman of
the United MEC. “This partnership between United and Aer Lingus will set a
dangerous precedent regarding international air travel where pilots on both
sides of the Atlantic will pay a steep price. We will explore every regulatory,
legislative and legal avenue to protect the rights and careers of our members.”

“We are very pleased to have entered into this
protocol agreement with the United pilots and we will be working with them to
confront the challenges this partnership poses to both our pilot groups,” said
Captain Evan Cullen, president of the IALPA. “We look forward to working with
our United colleagues to explore every option to end our respective company’s
blatant disregard and lack of loyalty to their pilots, as well as to their
corporate identities.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 52,500 pilots at 36
airlines in the U.S. and Canada, including the approximately 7,800 pilots of
United Airlines, including 606 who are on furlough.